HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.
SB 359 would have prohibited holding or using handheld mobile devices while driving in Montana, including texting, watching videos, or recording content, except for hands-free navigation or voice calls. It would have required drivers to use hands-free devices for calls and navigation, with exceptions for emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and work-related radio use. Violations would have carried civil penalties of $75-$149 for a first offense and $150-$250 for repeat offenses. The bill aimed to reduce distracted driving by clarifying restrictions on device use and defining terms like "portable wireless communication device" in Montana law.
SB 324 revises vehicle registration fees for high-end vehicles, adding a 1% fee based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first year of registration after January 1, 2026, for cars over $150,000 and motorhomes over $300,000. It directly affects owners of these high-value vehicles, replacing a flat annual add-on fee with the percentage-based assessment. Revenue from these fees will fund two specific programs: grants for bridge projects through the Department of Transportation and services for crime victims via the Board of Crime Control. The bill also updates related sections of Montana law governing registration fees and special revenue accounts.
HB 848 aimed to provide dedicated funding for regional rail authorities in the state. The bill proposed creating a "Big Sky Rail Account" within the state special revenue fund, which would receive a portion of rental car sales and use tax proceeds. The Department of Transportation would then annually distribute these funds to eligible regional rail authorities. These authorities could use the money for administrative costs, matching federal grants, fostering partnerships, and planning, developing, and operating rail projects and services, such as enhancing safety, improving stations, and exploring new train routes.
HB 731 requires airports that receive public funding to provide specific services to light aircraft at no cost. These services include allowing light aircraft to land, taxi, and park with tie-downs for up to three days. Publicly funded airports must also provide access for passengers and aircrew through security fencing. The bill defines "light aircraft" as those weighing less than 9,000 pounds operating under a specific federal regulation.
HJ 12 is a Montana joint resolution requesting the U.S. Congress remove federal requirements for electric vehicle (EV) purchases. It cites Montana-specific challenges like limited rural charging infrastructure, reduced EV range in cold weather, and lack of all-terrain EV options, arguing these make EVs impractical for Montanans' needs. The resolution does not create new law but asks Congress to eliminate federal EV mandates, allowing Montanans to choose vehicle types freely. It was referred to a committee but died in 2025 without further action.
HJ 8 is a study resolution requesting an interim committee to examine Montana's electric vehicle (EV) registration fees and charging station taxes. It directly affects EV owners, who currently pay an annual fee $152.46 higher than the average gas vehicle owner's fuel tax. The resolution directs the committee to assess the fairness of these fees compared to gas vehicles, review other states' approaches, and develop a more equitable system to address road funding gaps. The study, required to report to the 70th Legislature by September 2026, died in process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.
This joint resolution (HJ 49) requests an interim study of U.S. Highway 212 east of Billings, Montana, which has the state's highest rural roadway fatality rate (2013-2022) and faces issues like poor road conditions, limited winter maintenance, and lack of cell service. The study would investigate these safety problems, gather data from Montana DOT and local communities, and examine solutions used on other rural roads. It does not create new laws but aims to develop recommendations for safer conditions. The resolution died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
HB 369 authorizes the creation of county road maintenance districts to maintain roads that were previously serviced by the county but owned by other entities. These districts can be formed when at least 66% of property owners in a proposed area petition the county commissioners. The districts are funded by assessing maintenance costs directly against the benefited properties within the district. The amount assessed by a district must then be subtracted from the county's general fund dedicated to road improvement or maintenance.
HB 405 proposed to increase the maximum reimbursement rates that school districts receive from state and county sources for student transportation. The bill specifically raised the per-mile rates for school buses of different passenger capacities, as well as for non-bus mileage. The intent was to lower school district property taxes designated for transportation expenses. These changes would have applied to school district transportation budgets starting July 1, 2025.
